The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended reassurance to businesses across Nigeria, promising a more amiable tax administration environment.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, conveyed this commitment during a recent meeting with the management team of MTN Nigeria, headed by Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola, in Abuja.
Adedeji emphasized FIRS’s dedication to fostering an atmosphere conducive to business expansion by eliminating hindrances encountered by corporate entities, aligning closely with directives from President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had earlier sanctioned the appointment of Zacch Adedeji as the acting executive chairman of FIRS in September.
Underlining ongoing structural reforms within the agency, Adedeji highlighted the establishment of a one-stop shop for taxpayers based on turnover thresholds, aiming to simplify tax payment processes nationwide.
He outlined, “We have restructured to accommodate taxpayers based on their turnover thresholds, with a specific focus on large taxpayers like MTN, categorized by turnovers of N5bn and above. This streamlining allows for consolidated tax payments, including Company Income Tax and Value Added Tax, enhancing efficiency and convenience.”
Furthermore, Adedeji addressed concerns regarding multiple correspondence from various FIRS units on similar matters, assuring that such redundancies have been eliminated as part of the ongoing restructuring efforts.
He stressed FIRS’s commitment to customer service excellence, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the agency and taxpayers, encouraging open communication channels for clarification and feedback.
In response, MTN Nigeria’s CEO reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting government initiatives aimed at bolstering tax revenue.
“We pledge our steadfast support to the Federal Government’s initiatives and FIRS’s objectives in expanding Nigeria’s tax revenue base,” Toriola affirmed. “MTN Nigeria is committed to transparent tax compliance, demonstrating flexibility to advance government initiatives and contribute positively to the nation’s economic trajectory.”
Toriola underscored MTN Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate in addressing the nation’s challenges, underscoring the company’s enduring partnership with the Federal Government across successive administrations.